GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
1. Equations
Solve for 𝑥 in each of the following:
1.1. Already factorised → RHS = 0 () = 0 of () = 0
1.1.1 (𝑥 − 2)(3𝑥 + 4) = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(3𝑥 + 4) = 0
(𝑥 − 2) = 0 or (3𝑥 + 4) = 0
−4
𝑥=2 or 𝑥= 3
1.2. Already factorised → RHS ≠ 0 (Multiply out and make RHS = 0)
1.2.1 (𝑥 − 1)(3𝑥 + 2) = 11
3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 2 − 11 = 0
2
3𝑥 − 𝑥 − 13 = 0
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−(−1) ± √(−1)2 − 4(3)(−13)
𝑥=
2(3)
1+√157 1−√157
𝑥= / 2,25 or 𝑥= /−1,92
6 6
1.3. Simplify to 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 → Factorise.
If 𝑐 = 0 then 𝑥 is a common factor!!!
1.3.1 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = 0
𝑥(3𝑥 − 4) = 0
𝑥 = 0 or (3𝑥 − 4) = 0
4
𝑥=3
Make RHS = 0
1.3.2 2𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 = 5
2𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 = 5
2𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 5 = 0
(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 5) = 0
(2𝑥 − 1) = 0 or (𝑥 + 5) = 0
1
𝑥=2 or 𝑥 = −5
Algebraic fractions: Each term on LHS and RHS × LCD/ Make RHS= 0
4
1.3.3 2𝑥 + 3 = 3−𝑥
(2𝑥 + 3)(3 − 𝑥 ) = 4
6𝑥 + 9 − 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 = 0
−2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 5 = 0
2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 5 = 0
(2𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
(2𝑥 − 5) = 0 or (𝑥 + 1) = 0
5
𝑥=2 or 𝑥 = −1
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
1
𝑥−
𝑥
1.3.4 1 =1
1+
𝑥
1 1
𝑥 − =1+
𝑥 𝑥
2
𝑥 −1=𝑥+1
𝑥2 − 1 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
(𝑥 − 2) = 0 or (𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑥= 2 or 𝑥 = −1
1.4. Simplify to 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 → Complete the square (Only when asked specifically,)
1.4.1 Solve 2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 7 = 0 by completing the square.
2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 = 7
7
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 =
2
1 7 1
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + (5 × )2 = + (5 × )2
2 2 2
25 7 25
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + = +
4 2 4
5 2 14 + 25 39
(𝑥 + ) = =
2 4 4
2
√(𝑥 + 5) = ±√39
2 4
5 ±√39
𝑥 + 2=
2
−5 ±√39
𝑥=
2
1.5. Simplify to 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 → Quadratic formula (if equation cannot be factorised or
you struggle to factorise – question often specifies the number of decimals / simplest
surd form)
1.5.1. 2𝑥 2 − 3 = 3𝑥 + 12
2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 3 − 12 = 0
2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 15 = 0
−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−(−3) ± √(−3)2 − 4(2)(−15)
𝑥=
2(2)
𝑥 = 3,59 or 𝑥 = −2,09
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
𝑥−9 6
1.5.2 =𝑥
3
𝑥(𝑥 − 9) = 18
𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0
−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−(−9) ± √(−9)2 − 4(𝑎)(−18)
𝑥=
2(1)
𝑥 = 10,68 or 𝑥 = −1,68
1.6. Equation with √
• remember: √ alone on one side (Two √ ′𝑠 one on each side of =)
• Square LHS and RHS (Use brackets)
• Be careful of the square of a binomial (remember the middle term)
• Test BOTH your answers!!
o Both can be applicable / valid.
o Only one can be applicable / valid.
o Neither can be applicable / valid.
1.6.1 √3𝑥 + 13 − 𝑥 = 1
(√3𝑥 + 13 )2 = (𝑥 + 1)2
3𝑥 + 13 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 − 3𝑥 − 13 = 0
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12 = 0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 3) = 0
𝑥=4 or 𝑥 ≠ −3 Test BOTH answers!
1.6.2 √𝑥 − √𝑥 + 3 = 3
(−√𝑥 + 3 )2 = (3 − √𝑥 )2
2
𝑥 + 3 = 9 − 6√𝑥 + √𝑥
6√𝑥 = 9 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 3
(6√𝑥 )2 = (6)2
36𝑥 = 36
𝑥≠1 Still test your answer!!
Therefore no solution.
1.6.3 √3𝑥 + 10 − 2 = 𝑥
(√3𝑥 + 10 )2 = (𝑥 + 2)2
3𝑥 + 10 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 − 3𝑥 − 10 = 0
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 3) = 0
𝑥=2 or 𝑥 ≠ −3 Test BOTH answers!
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
1.7. k-method → Common complex term (substitute with k, solve
and substitute back – you have to solve for x not for k!!!!!)
66
1.7.1 (𝑥 2 + 2) + 𝑥2 +2 = 17
Let 𝑥 2 + 2 = 𝑘
66
𝑘 + 𝑘 = 17
𝑘 2 + 66 − 17𝑘 = 0
𝑘 2 − 17𝑘 + 66 = 0
(𝑘 − 6)(𝑘 − 11) = 0
𝑘= 6 or 𝑘 = 11
Therefore:
𝑥2 + 2 = 6 or 𝑥 2 + 2 = 11
2
𝑥 + 2−6=0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
𝑥=2 or 𝑥 = −2
OR
𝑥 2 + 2 − 11 = 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 3) = 0
𝑥=3 or 𝑥 = −3
60
1.7.2 𝑥 (𝑥 + 7) + 16 + 2 =0
𝑥 +7𝑥
2
Let 𝑥 + 7𝑥 = 𝑘
60
𝑘 + 16 + 𝑘 = 0
𝑘 2 + 16𝑘 + 60 = 0
(𝑘 + 6)(𝑥 + 10) = 0
𝑘 = −6 or 𝑘 = −10
Therefore:
𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 = −6 of 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 = −10
𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 6 = 0
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 6) = 0
𝑥 = −1 or 𝑥 = −6
OR
2
𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 10 = 0
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 5) = 0
𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥 = −5
1.7.3 √𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 10 + 2 = 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1)
Let 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 = 𝑘
(√𝑘 + 10 )2 = (𝑘 − 2)2
𝑘 + 10 = 𝑘 2 − 4𝑘 + 4
𝑘 2 − 4𝑘 + 4 − 𝑘 − 10 = 0
𝑘 2 − 5𝑘 − 6 = 0
(𝑘 − 6)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑘=6 or 𝑘 ≠ −1 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬!
NBNB Substitute in √𝑘 + 10 = (𝑘 − 2) to test
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
Therefore:
𝑥2 + 𝑥 = 6
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 3) = 0
𝑥=2 or 𝑥 = −3
1.8. k-method → Equations of the form (𝑎𝑥 2𝑚 + 𝑏𝑥 𝑚 + 𝑐 = 0)
One exponent is half the other = substitution with k
(Substitution 𝒙𝒎 = 𝒌 𝒊. 𝒆. 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 half 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕), solve
and substitute back – you have to solve for x not for k!!!!!)
𝑛
𝑚
Remember roots are fractional exponents √𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚
Write constant bases as the product of prime factors.
1.8.1 𝑥 + 2√𝑥 − 8 = 0
1
𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 − 8 = 0
1
Let 𝑥 2 = 𝑘
𝑘 2 + 2𝑘 − 8 = 0
(𝑘 + 4)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑘 = −4 or 𝑘= 2
Therefore:
1 1
𝑥 2 = −4 or 𝑥2 = 2
1
𝑥 2 = −4
𝑁𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
1
(𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑥 2 = √𝑥 ≥ 0 )
OR
1
𝑥2 = 2
1 2
𝑥 2×1 = 22
𝑥=4
1.8.2 9𝑥 − 3𝑥+1 = 54
*32𝑥 − 3𝑥 . 31 − 54 = 0 *first prime factors!!
Let 3𝑥 = 𝑘
𝑘 2 − 3𝑘 − 54 = 0
(𝑘 + 6)(𝑥 − 9) = 0
𝑘 = −6 of 𝑘= 9
Therefore:
3𝑥 = −6 of 3𝑥 = 9
3𝑥 = −6
𝑁𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
(𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑥 > 0 − 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ)
OR
3𝑥 = 9 = 32
𝑥=2
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
1.9. k-method → Equations of the form (𝑎𝑥 𝑚 + 𝑏𝑥 −𝑚 + 𝑐 = 0 𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑥 𝑚 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 )
Negative exponent / unknown in denominator
(Substitution (𝒙𝒎 𝒌, solve and substitute back – you have to solve for x not for k!!!!!)
2
1.9.1 𝑥 2 − 1 − 𝑥2 = 0
Let 𝑥 2 = 𝑘
2
𝑘−1− 𝑘 =0
𝑘2 − 𝑘 − 2 = 0
(𝑘 + 1)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑘 = −1 or 𝑘= 2
Therefore:
𝑥 2 = −1 or 𝑥2 = 2
𝑁𝑜 𝑅 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 = ±√2
1.10. Exponential → One term with unknown in exponent
(Remember: make bases the same → write bases as prime factors / 𝑥 0 = 1)
1.10.1 75𝑥 = 1
75𝑥 = 70
5𝑥 = 0
𝑥=0
1.11. Exponential → More than one term with the same in unknown in the exponent
(Remember: write bases as prime factors / 𝑥 0 = 1 / take out term with unknown exponent as
a common factor,)
1.11.1 2𝑥+2 + 2𝑥−2 + 2𝑥 = 42
2𝑥 (22 + 2−2 + 1) = 42
42
2𝑥 = (22+2−2+ 1) = 8 = 23
𝑥=3
1.12. Exponential → Unknown in base
• LHS and RHS to power of reciprocal exponent
• NBNB if numerator of original exponent is an even number ± on RHS.
• NBNB if original exponent contains an even number RHS > 0 as RHS< 0 no
solution.
Only if both the numerator and denominator are uneven can the RHS < 0.
2
1.12.1 𝑥 3 = 9 (numerator of original exponent is an even number ± on RHS)
2 3 3
𝑥 3×2 = ±32×2
𝑥 = ±33 = ±27
3
1.12.2 𝑥 4 = −1 (even number in original exponent RHS > 0)
RHS < 0 no Real solution.
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
−7
1.12.3 3𝑥 3 + 5 = 0 (both the numerator and denominator in the original
exponent are RHS < 0)
−7
−5
𝑥 3 = 3
−7 −3
−5 −3
𝑥 3 × 7 = ( 3 ) 7 = −0,803
1.13. Non-linear factors → RHS = 0 (() = 0 of () = 0)
NBNBNB Remember
• A square is always ≥ 0
• ax > 0 where a is positive (Remember the exponential graph)
1.13.1 (𝑥 − 3)(2𝑥 − 1) = 0
(𝑥 − 3) = 0 or (2𝑥 − 1) = 0
𝑥=3 2𝑥 = 1 = 20
𝑥=0
1.13.2 (𝑥 2 + 1)(𝑥 − 1) = 0
(𝑥 2 + 1) = 0 or (𝑥 − 1) = 0
2
(𝑥 ) = −1 𝑥=1
𝑁𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Remember: 𝑥 2 ≥ 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 ∴ 𝑥 2 + 1 ≥ 1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅
The only way that (𝑥 2 + 1)(𝑥 − 1) = 0 is if (𝑥 − 1) = 0
1.13.3 ( 𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 + 2) = 0
(𝑥 + 5) = 0 or (3𝑥 + 2) = 0
𝑥 = −5 3𝑥 = −2
𝑁𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Remember: 𝑎𝑥 > 0 − 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ
The only way that ( 𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 + 2) = 0 is if (𝑥 + 5) = 0
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
2. Simultaneous equations
2.1. Simultaneous equations where one equation is quadratic.
Can only be solved through substitution. Get x or y alone in linear equation and
substitute in quadratic equation.
2.1.1 Solve for x and y simultaneously if:
𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0 and 𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑦 + 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10
𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0 … (𝟏) and 𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑦 + 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 … (𝟐)
From (1): 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1 … . (𝟑)
Substitute (3) in (2):
𝑥(2𝑥 − 1) = 2(2𝑥 − 1) + 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10
∴ 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 2 − 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 10 = 0
∴ 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 12 = 0 ∴ (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
∴𝑥=6 𝑜𝑓 𝑥=2
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝒙 = 𝟔 𝒊𝒏 (𝟑): 𝑦 = 2(6) − 1 ∴ 𝑦 = 11
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒊𝒏 (𝟑): 𝑦 = 2(2) − 1 ∴ 𝑦 =3
2.2. Simultaneous equations where one or both equations are exponential.
NBNBNB First solve exponential equation(s) → linear / quadratic equation(s)
2.2.1 Solve for x and y
1
9−𝑦+2 = 3𝑥+4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 = 2 𝑥 2 − 2
9−𝑦+2 = 3 𝑥+4 ∴ 3−2𝑦+4 = 3 𝑥+4 ∴ −2𝑦 + 4 = 𝑥 + 4 … . (𝟏)
1 2
𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 … . (𝟐)
2
From (1): 𝑥 = −2𝑦 … . (𝟑)
Substitute (3) in (2):
1
𝑦 − (−2𝑦)𝑦 = (−2𝑦)2 − 2
2
1
∴ 𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 = 2 (4𝑦 2 ) − 2 ∴ 𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 = 2𝑦 2 − 2 ∴ 𝑦 = −2
Substitute y = -2 in (3): 𝑥 = −2(−2) ∴ 𝑥 = 4
© Annamarie Fortune
GRADE 11 & 12 SOLVING EQUATIONS MEMO
2.2.2 Solve the following equations simultaneously for x and y:
33𝑥
= 243 and 2𝑥 × 4𝑦−1 = 32
9𝑦
33𝑥 33𝑥
9𝑦
= 243 ∴ 32𝑦
= 35 ∴ 33𝑥−2𝑦 = 35 ∴ 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 5 … . (𝟏)
2 𝑥 × 4 𝑦−1 = 32 ∴ 2 𝑥 × 22𝑦−2 = 25 ∴ 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2 = 5 … . (𝟐)
From 2: 𝑥 = 7 − 2𝑦 … . (𝟑)
Substitute (3) in (1):
3(7 − 2𝑦) − 2𝑦 = 5 ∴ 21 − 6𝑦 − 2𝑦 = 5 ∴ −8𝑦 = −16 ∴ 𝑦 = 2
Substitute y = (2) in (3):
𝑥 = 7 − 2(2) ∴ 𝑥 = 3
23𝑥
2.2.3 Solve for x and y if it is given that = 32 and 3𝑥 × 9𝑦−1 = 243
4𝑦
23𝑥 23𝑥
= 32 ∴ = 25 ∴ 23𝑥−2𝑦 = 25 ∴ 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 5 … . (𝟏)
4𝑦 22𝑦
3 𝑥 × 9 𝑦−1 = 243 ∴ 3 𝑥 × 32𝑦−2 = 35 ∴ 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2 = 5 … . (𝟐)
From 2: 𝑥 = 7 − 2𝑦 … . (𝟑)
Substitute (3) in (1):
3(7 − 2𝑦) − 2𝑦 = 5 ∴ 21 − 6𝑦 − 2𝑦 = 5 ∴ −8𝑦 = −16 ∴ 𝑦 = 2
Substitute y = (2) in (3):
𝑥 = 7 − 2(2) ∴ 𝑥 = 3
2.3. Sum of squares
NBNB Remember a square is always ≥ 0 therefore, if the sum of squares = 0, then each
of the squares = 0 because 0+0 = 0
2.3.1 Solve for x and y if it is given that (5𝑥 + 𝑦)2 + (𝑥 + 3)2 = 0
𝐼𝑓 (5𝑥 + 𝑦)2 + (𝑥 + 3)2 = 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 (5𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑(𝑥 + 3)2 = 0
∴ 5𝑥 + 𝑦 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 + 3 = 0 ∴ 𝑥 = −3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 5(−3) + 𝑦 = 0 ∴ 𝑦 = 15
© Annamarie Fortune
